Combat Support Munitions

Combat Support Munitions (LI 1550) is a Navy and Marine Corps procurement program designed to ensure Marine Corps ground forces maintain readiness for both training and operational requirements. The program particularly supports Force Design initiatives and Littoral Operations in Contested Environments, with a focus on the Indo-Pacific region. Its overarching goal is to provide a comprehensive suite of munitions including demolition items, grenades, pyrotechnics, land mines, and non-lethal variants to support annual and pre-deployment training as well as combat operations. Procurement is managed primarily through the Joint Program Executive Office for Armament and Ammunition (JPEO A&A)/Single Manager for Conventional Ammunition (SMCA) and Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane, IN (NSWC Crane), leveraging consolidated contracts across services to optimize acquisition efficiency.

Demolition Munitions, All Types are a critical component of the Combat Support Munitions line, with funding supporting items such as blasting caps, impulse cartridges, block and shaped charges, detonating cord, military dynamite, and specialized cartridges for Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD). These munitions enable breaching, cutting, cratering, and the destruction of obstacles and abandoned equipment, directly supporting both operational and training needs. The program also funds engineering support in production (ESIP), which covers configuration management, First Article Testing (FAT), Lot Acceptance Testing (LAT), and quality assurance to ensure delivered items meet stringent safety and performance standards. The request for the upcoming year reflects a reduction in training requirements, resulting in a decrease from the previous year.

Linear Charges, All Types include flexible linear shaped charges and the Anti-Personnel Obstacle Breaching System (APOBS). These charges are essential for rapid obstacle clearance, enabling maneuver forces to breach enemy defenses and natural barriers. The budget supports procurement of complete rounds and production support, with unit costs reflecting design changes and reduced economies of scale due to lower quantities. The program consolidates cost elements to provide clear visibility of final deliverables and aligns hardware and support costs with other ammunition lines. Contractors are responsible for manufacturing and delivery, with typical procurement lead times ranging from 12 to 36 months.

Grenades, All Types / Non-Lethal covers a wide array of handheld and vehicle-launched grenades, including fragmentation, smoke (green, yellow, white, red), riot control (CS), diversionary, and scalable offensive grenades. Non-lethal variants such as 12-Gauge and 40MM cartridges, flashbangs, and simulator devices are also included, supporting both operational use and training simulations. These munitions are intended to incapacitate or deter personnel and materiel with minimal permanent injury or property damage. The request funds procurement, production engineering, and quality assurance for these items, with specific quantities and unit costs detailed for each grenade type. Some non-lethal items, such as the 81MM Flashbang Munition, have been moved to other budget lines for the upcoming year.

Pyrotechnic Devices and Simulator Munitions are procured to simulate battlefield effects during training and to provide signaling and obscuration capabilities in combat. Items such as ground burst projectile simulators, signal and illumination cartridges, and various flares are included. These devices are essential for realistic training environments and for operational signaling and marking. The program funds both hardware and production support, with procurement quantities adjusted annually based on training and operational requirements.

Land Mines and Obstacle Breaching Systems such as the Anti-Personnel Obstacle Breaching System (APOBS) and Claymore mines are included to support both defensive and offensive operations. These systems enable rapid obstacle clearance and area denial, supporting maneuver and force protection. Procurement is managed through established contractors, with production schedules and lead times coordinated to ensure timely delivery for both training and deployment needs.

Non-Lethal Munitions and Engineering Support are a growing focus within the Combat Support Munitions line, reflecting evolving operational requirements for minimizing collateral damage and enhancing force protection. Engineering support in production ensures munitions meet evolving form, fit, and function standards, addressing any manufacturing or design concerns. The program's objectives are continually refined to balance inventory levels, replace expiring stocks, and meet total munitions requirements for both training and combat operations, with funding adjustments made in response to changing annual needs and inventory status.